Characteristic Definition Helpful Manifestation Unhelpful Manifestation

Paranoid Think everyone’s out to get them

See risk before others do Perceive bad intentions where none exist, potentially eliminating talented staff and missing out on opportunities for collaboration

Psychopathic No feeling for other people Business acumen and know how to work people and the system to get what you want

Prey on people to get what they want, especially subordinates, fracturing and demoralizing the team

Narcissistic Think they’re superior, that the whole world revolves around them, almost as if nobody else exists

Vision and confidence inspire the team

Tend to surround themselves with “yes-people” who they perceive as inferior, stifling healthy disagreement and competition

Greedy Never satisfied with what they have

Acquisitive energy gives them ambition and motivation to do more and more

Don’t know when enough is enough; potential to overextend the team and create burnout

Obsessive Can’t stop thinking about the same thing

Intense focus on perfection can yield great products and services

Can alienate members of the team by insisting that their way is the only way

Insecure Tendency to feel ashamed of oneself

Strong work ethic (as a way of proving that one is indeed “good enough”)

Inability to balance work with other aspects of life; workaholism

Personality Extremes at Work: Helpful & Not

By Dannielle Blumenthal 2014 – public domain.